Prostate cancer, most commonly found in older men, is the second most diagnosed cancer among U. S. men over 50. This type of cancer is rare in men less than 40 years old, but is the number one cause of cancer related deaths in men over 75.
The Prostate is a gland that sits at the bottom of the bladder, surrounding the urethra. If it becomes enlarged, it puts pressure on the urethra and makes urination difficult. Some of the first signs that there is a prostate problem have to do with starting the urine stream, or being able to fully empty the bladder. If the Prostate puts enough pressure on the urethra it can prevent urination altogether.
Enlarged or Swollen Prostate
An enlarged or swollen prostate is a sign of a problem that has to be dealt with, but many times the cause is not cancer. An enlarged prostate is extremely common as men age. It is usually just a normal part of aging. There are several minor procedures and even medication that can be successful in treating this condition. This benign condition does not increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Risk Factors and Causes
Individuals at the highest risk for Prostate Cancer include those who are:
• Males > 60 years old
• African-American Males
• Individuals with siblings who have had the disease
• Exposed to Agent Orange
• Alcohol abusers
• Exposed to pesticides or chemicals regularly (usually through a job or career: farming, tire plant workers, metal refineries, etc.)
• Consumers of high animal fat diets
The group that has the lowest incidence of Prostate Cancer are vegetarians.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Most signs and symptoms of Prostate Cancer are actually signs of prostate problems other than cancer. However, they should never be ignored.
• Difficulty starting the urine stream
• Urine “leaking” or dripping after finishing the urination process
• Slow stream, or the feeling that you have to “push” the urine out
• Bloody urine or semen which may just look dark or brownish
Prostate cancer doesn’t cause pain unless it has spread to the surrounding area. Then pain will be located in the pelvis bones and seem sore to pressure.
Tests for Diagnosis
Blood may be drawn for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen). This protein produced by the prostate, indicates the likelihood of prostate cancer by the amount carried in the bloodstream. If the PSA in the blood is high enough to indicate the possibility of cancer, then the physician will usually perform a rectal exam to check the size of the prostate. Usually the size of a walnut, the doctor can easily tell if the gland is enlarged.
If it is indicated from these two tests, the definitive test will be performed. The only absolute way to diagnosis Prostate Cancer is with a biopsy. If the biopsy is positive for cancer, a CT scan and bone scan will be utilized to classify the spread and severity of the disease. This will give a better idea of how aggressively the cancer is spreading and what treatments need to be used.
Treatments for Prostate Cancer
The treatments that are chosen for your particular case will be based on conversations with your doctor, the severity of the disease, and spreading that has occurred, and your overall state of health.
Radiation and surgery are the two main options in the early stages, but if it has spread chemotherapy will also come into play. Sometimes if the stage is very early and the patient is elderly, monitoring and regular blood tests may be all that is necessary.
If the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate, the best course of action may be to surgically remove the prostate. The after surgery effects of this procedure can include incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Radiation may be used after surgery to make sure there were no prostate cells left behind that can spread the cancer to surrounding tissue. It can be used to treat pain if the cancer has spread to the bones. Under certain circumstances it may be used alone to treat prostate cancer that is very localized, so that the prostate may be saved.
Radiation can be administered two ways. It can be administered through a beam much as an x-ray is taken, or it can be done by placing radioactive “seeds” in the prostate tissue. If the cancer has spread outward from the prostate, systemic chemotherapy may be necessary. How the chemo is delivered is dependent upon the type prescribed.
Prostate Cancer and Testosterone
Prostate tumors need the male hormone, Testosterone, in order to grow. One therapy used for these tumors is called Hormone Therapy, because the drugs or hormones given are designed to keep the Testosterone levels low to prevent further growth or spread of the cancer. This therapy has shown that even when the cancer cannot be cured, the patient’s life may be extended for years beyond the normal prognosis for incurable cancer. Once the prostate tumors are no longer affected by Hormone Therapy, chemo or immunosuppressant therapy may be prescribed.
Prognosis for Prostate Cancer Victims
The prognosis for prostate cancer victims varies enormously with how much the disease has spread before diagnosis. If the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate, chances of being completely cured are high. Even if the cancer has spread slightly outside the boarders of the prostate, chances of being completely cured are still very good.
Men over 50 should have a yearly exam for prostate cancer. If this cancer has occurred in the family, then men over 40 should begin the yearly check. Finding the cancer early is the key to saving your life.
Preventing Prostate Cancer
Diet seems to have an impact on this particular cancer. Those who eat a Japanese diet traditionally high in omega 3 fatty acids, and vegetarians have the lowest incidence of prostatic cancer.
For those who have an enlarged prostate, but do not yet show signs of prostate cancer, there are some preventative medications that could be discussed with your physician. The ACS (American Cancer Society) recommends discussing these drugs with your doctor, but many experts disagree about the benefits of these medications, so the pros and cons need to be looked at closely before you begin such a regime for Prostate Cancer.
